Sheet Bend
Also called: becket bend
A knot for joining two ropes, even of different sizes or materials, that holds better than a square knot.
- Type
- Joining Knots
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Good for
- Camping, Hiking
What it is for
- Joining two ropes of different thickness
- Extending a guyline or ridgeline
- Tying a rope to a loop or an eye in another rope
How to tie it
- Make a bight in the thicker or stiffer rope, a U-shaped fold with the two parts side by side.
- Pass the working end of the other rope up through the bight from underneath.
- Take it around behind both parts of the bight.
- Tuck it under itself, so it crosses under its own standing part and not the bight.
- Pull both standing parts to tighten. Keep both tails on the same side of the knot.
There are no diagrams on this page yet. Tie it along with the steps using a short piece of cord, and compare your result with a photograph or an instructor before you rely on it.
Tips
- Make the bight in the thicker rope.
- For slippery or stiff line, add a second turn around the bight to make a double sheet bend.
When not to trust it
- It can loosen if the rope is slack and shaken.
- If the tails end up on opposite sides, the knot is weaker.
- Do not use it for critical loads or for anything where a failure could hurt someone.
Often confused with
- Square knot: easier to tie but much less secure for joining two lines.
Field notes
The sheet bend is the right choice when you need to add length to a rope or tie a thin line to a thick one.
Related guides
This page explains how to tie an everyday knot. It is not training for climbing, rappelling, tree stand fall protection, or rescue. If a failure could injure someone, learn from a qualified instructor and use equipment rated for the job.